Month: July 2016

July Favorites!

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It’s that time again! I’m sharing my monthly beauty, fashion and skincare favorites with you for July! These products have been my most frequently reached for all month long, so you can trust that they’re high quality! I’m always interested in knowing your favorite products for the month, so please comment below and let me know! 

Beauty     

      
Urban Decay Naked Skin Complete Coverage Weightless Concealer, “Light Warm”

This is my go-to under eye concealer because it’s lightweight and full coverage, aka the best of both worlds! This product blends out so beautifully and never creases underneath my eyes. I love the shade “light warm” because it is a bright yellow color that acts as a highlight on my medium skin tone. Another amazing aspect is the longevity, this will not fade or break up throughout the day. If you’re looking for a new concealer, I would definitely suggest this for any skin type and any skin tone! I’m always amazed at the intense coverage I get from such a lightweight formula and that is why I always go back to this product time after time! 

    

Buxom Full-On Lip Cream, “White Russian” 

You need this lipgloss. I just don’t know what else to say other than you need it in your life and you’ll love it more than all other glosses. This creamy formula plumps your lips without stinging! It actually feels cooling when you apply it and somehow gives the look of fuller lips (which I’m obsessed with.) The shade “White Russian” is a very light nude shade that looks great on its own, or paired on top of a nude lipstick. Just a warning, this is a very creamy and thick formula, so if you don’t like the feeling of lipgloss on your lips then you will probably dislike this product! The scent is like a vanilla-mint, which I’m personally a huge fan of. Buxom makes a lot of other shades in this range, so if a super nude color isn’t for you, check out some of their others! I’m also obsessed with the “Hot Toddy” shade as well! 

    

Bare Minerals Gen Nude Matte Liquid Lip Color, “XYZ”

Obsessed is an understatement. This is BY FAR the best liquid lipstick formula that I’ve ever tried! It’s so thin and liquidy, so it dries super quickly once applied on your lips! It’s very matte, but not extremely drying. My lips stayed pretty hydrated throughout the wear of this, which is something I’ve never experienced before with a liquid lipstick! I noticed I didn’t have to wear a lip liner with this product because it doesn’t transfer or bleed outside of the area you apply it. The color is amazing as well! XYZ is the perfect nude-brown shade for medium skin tones. This formula lasts for about 5 hours before fading on me, which is amazing! It even stayed put during eating and drinking! Plus it leaves behind a beautiful stained effect, which I love. 

     

Tarte Amazonian Clay Full Coverage Airbrush Foundation, “Medium Neutral” 

This product was a lifesaver during the month of July because it gives a full coverage foundation look, without being heavy at all! During the summer months, I tend to forgo liquid foundation because it’s heavy and tends to look cakey throughout the day, which makes a powder foundation super ideal! Not only does this product cover up all of my flaws, but it feels super light on my skin! I can forget that I’m even wearing makeup whenever I put this product on. My favorite way to apply this is by first putting on a primer all over my face so the powder has something to adhere to. Next, I use a flat top powder brush and buff it onto my skin in small circular motions! I love this because it’s super long lasting and prevents me from getting oily throughout the day, but it also isn’t too matte, making my skin look dull and lifeless. This is my new favorite powder foundation and I would recommend this to anyone who wants a lightweight feel, but a full coverage foundation look!

     

Ardell Demi Wispies Natural Multipack 

I’ve recently been loving these lashes to intensify any makeup look! They define my eyes so beautifully and give me a full lash appearance, without being over-the-top! They give a more voluminous lash look, rather than lengthening, which is my personal preference in a false lash style. I really wanted to share these because they look so gorgeous with dramatic, smokey eye looks and natural eyeshadow looks as well! I love how light the lash band is because they don’t feel uncomfortably heavy on the eyes, which allows me to wear them for hours without any discomfort! I highly recommend trying these out whether you wear false lashes all the time, or have never tried them! These are a great, versatile style and very easy to apply for beginners! 

Fashion 


Madewell, “Women’s Whisper Cotton V-Neck Pocket Tee”

I never knew I could be so obsessed with a t-shirt until I discovered these! They’re so versatile and can be dressed up or worn very casually. What I love most is the style of these shirts, which is kind of baggy/loose, but not unflattering! I’m always finding that plan t-shirts are either weirdly tight to the point they’re uncomfortable in certain areas, or they’re so loose that they look misshapen. These are the perfect in between, which make them so great! I always buy them when they’re on sale, so definitely check them out when you can get a good deal on them! They wash great and do not have piling or random holes, which a lot of other cotton tees tend to do! Love, love, love these!

    
Tory Burch, “Miller Sandal” 

I have been wanting these sandals for the longest time and finally gave in and purchased them in July! I have been wearing these non-stop and find they go with every outfit. They’re also super comfortable, which is what I care about most! If you want to splurge on a fancy shoe for summer, I would really recommend these because you’ll certainly get a lot of wear for your money! 

    

Skincare


Tony Moly, “I’m Real Avocado Sheet Mask” 

Sheet masks are an amazing new skincare innovation! Although they look absolutely terrifying when you put it on your face, it’s amazing how they combine all of the skin benefits you would get from paying for an expensive spa facial! The at-home convenience of just taking a sheet and placing it on your face, makes me keep buying these. I love how easy they are because you don’t have to mix a bunch of different products and see what works together. Instead, these sheets are saturated with the exact combination of skincare ingredients to nourish and hydrate your face. The “I’m Real Avocado” is my favorite of the Tony Moly sheet masks because it plumps and softens my skin, giving me a noticeable glow as soon as I remove the sheet and rinse my face! 

   
Garnier, “Clearly Brighter Anti-Dark Circle Eye Roller – Light/Medium” 

I love using this product to instantly de-puff and conceal my dark circles when I wake up! This product is a miracle worker when I’m rushing out the door for work and need to conceal my dark circles, while also hydrating my sensitive under eyes. Although I layer a more full-coverage concealer on top of this product, you could definitely use it on its own for a lighter, more natural effect! The roller ball is so cooling and feels incredible when you need something to help you wake up in the morning!

   
Lush, “Angels On Bare Skin Cleanser”

I am obsessed with this cleanser, ah! I recently bought this product at Lush after reading so many amazing reviews and it is truly a miracle worker! After removing my makeup and cleansing with my Clarisonic, I take this exfoliating product and scrub my face! I notice that it softens my skin since it’s infused with lavender and rose oils, but effectively removes all of my dead skin and rough patches with the ground almonds. I enjoy the fact this is all natural and just as powerful as some of the harsher skincare products I’ve used in the past. It’s amazing to see a product take away my redness and fade my acne scaring so quickly! I highly recommend you try this out because I can see it working great for any skin type! 

Bronze Eyes and Terracota Lips

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One of my new favorite lipstick shades to wear are these warm, terracotta, burnt-orange colors. I mentioned in my June Favorites that M.A.C “Del Rio” is my latest obsession. I find this product to be especially flattering in the summertime when I have a tan and wear less eye-makeup than usual. One of my favorite ways to look like I put effort into my makeup look is to wear a bold lip color and spend less time focusing on my eyes and face. I love the way this lipstick defines my smile and gives a whitening effect to my teeth, even though it isn’t a blue-based red color. Since I kept the eyes and face super easy, I think this look is totally wearable for work or any daytime occasion as well. Feel free to wear this anywhere you want!


I began the look by priming my eyes with Urban Decay primer potion in “Eden” to extend the wear time and prevent any creasing of my eyeshadow. For this look, I used ColourPop’s “Sunset Blvd” eyeshadow all over the lid and blended up into the crease. This shade is a gorgeous, golden-bronze shade that compliments the warmth in the lipstick shade. I used my Too Faced Chocolate Soleil Bronzer in “Medium” to further define my crease. I used a mixture of “Sunset Blvd” and my bronzer to blend onto my lower lash line too. Next I took the eyeshadow, “Smog” from my Urban Decay Naked Palette and drew a soft winged eyeliner. I like the effect shadow liner gives my eyes whenever I am wearing a bold lip because it defines, while still being subtle and allowing the lips to steal the show. Next, I used my Tarte Inner Rim Brightener eyeliner on my waterline to give myself a “wide-eyed” appearance. The last step on my eyes was just to apply two coats of L’Oreal Telescopic Mascara on my upper and lower lashes.


For my face makeup, I did my usual foundation routine and added highlight, blush and bronzer for additional warmth to compliment this look. I would like to point out that the blush photographed very bright and peach, but was more bronze and subtle in person. I like to keep the face fairly simple when doing a bold lip or eye. I find that when I do intense contouring and bright face colors, it can sometimes distract from the statement lip color and throw off the balance of the look. Let me know if you want to see a blog post of my foundation/concealer routine since the products I am using now have changed in the last month!


Now for the star of the show, the lipstick! I am obsessed with M.A.C lipsticks in general and have not purchased a single shade that I do not like! “Del Rio” is such a unique color and I liked it because I had nothing like it in my collection. I used the Revlon lip liner in “Nude” to outline and define. In my personal opinion, I think using natural colors for lip liner pair better with a bold lip than finding that exact lipstick color in a liner and using them together. Sometimes it can be really harsh and noticeable lining your lips with red and then filling them in with red. Plus, if you make any mistakes or overdraw too crazy, it’s much easier to blend out with a nude shade than a bold one. So after lining and filling in my lips, I applied “Del Rio” all over. This is a satin formula, so it provided a subtle sheen. I personally think the satin formulas are the best from M.A.C because they’re richly pigmented, comfortable to wear and last a long time. This product stayed put through eating and drinking and after hours of wear, it still left a pretty stained effect on my lips. 

  


I got a lot of compliments on this look because it was minimal makeup, but still appeared that I put effort into getting ready. I think a warm lip shade and a bronzy/gold eye are gorgeous for summer, but equally stunning as we transition into fall. If you want to try the dark lip trend, but are too afraid to wear something intense, I would say this lipstick is a great starting point! It isn’t “dark,” but definitely pigmented and bold, so you’re able to make a statement, without feeling like you’re wearing editorial makeup to the grocery store.

       
Let me know if you enjoy reading about the different looks I’m loving at the moment and the products I use to achieve them! I enjoy sharing artistry, but find it’s not always the easiest to write about technique. I have always been interested in creating YouTube tutorials, so if you think I should do that, let me know too! Thank you so much for reading 🙂  

My Favorite Powder Highlight Products! 

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One of my favorite makeup products is highlight powder! I am always on the hunt to find the latest and greatest and have acquired quite the collection over the past year! I love “strobing” with these powder products because they emphasize the high points of my face, showing off my favorite features. I also love that I look instantly healthier and more alive by adding some extra radiance to my skin. I think highlight powder can take what would otherwise be considered simple makeup and instantly turn it into a Pinterest-worthy look! The tops of my cheekbones, temples, inner-corners of my eye, tip of my nose and cupid’s bow are my favorite places to highlight. I never skip out on this step of my makeup routine and highly encourage you to try out this popular beauty trend! I wanted to share all of my favorites with you so you can find your best match; whether you want a dewy and natural skin look, or an extremely bright and noticeable glow, I think I’ll have you covered!   

Subtle Glow


Laura Mercier Matte Radiance Baked Powder Compact, “Highlight 01 – Golden Nude,” $40.

This product truly stands out in my collection because it provides the most beautifully subtle glow. If you want a natural, effortless highlight, you will absolutely love this product. It gives a reflective sheen once applied, which brings a lifted effect to your face. If you have mature skin, I would highly suggest this one because it isn’t glittery and definitely won’t emphasize any fine lines or texture.
   

Too Faced Candlelight Glow Highlighting Powder Duo, “Warm Glow,” $30.

I love the “lit-from-within” glow that this highlight gives my face. Again, it really just provides a radiant looking complexion, rather than an intentional shimmer. My favorite way to apply this product is with a large fluffy brush all over my face, not being specific where I place it. Whenever I do this technique, my skin looks hydrated and gorgeous! I would not recommend this product as a strategic highlight because it doesn’t have enough power in its pigmentation to bring out your cheekbones and other high points of your face. It really works best as an all over dusting powder when you’re finished with your makeup and want to look extra dewy. For me personally, I never apply this product in my t-zone, just because after a couple hours I will look unattractively oily, rather than my desired healthy glow.
    

Makeup Revolution Pro Illuminate, $7.

I mentioned this product as a highlight to pick up in my drugstore starter kit post because it really gives a universally flattering sheen to anyone’s face. Regardless of age or skin type, I find this product beautifully brings attention to the high points of the face, without looking harsh or glittery. I would best describe the overall look of this product to be glossy, which is unique for a typical powder formulation!
     

Anastasia Beverly Hills Glow Kit, “That Glow,” $40.

I am obsessed with the formula of these highlights! They glide on the face so evenly pigmented, so you never have one area that looks shinier than the rest. This kit is super versatile because it not only comes with four different highlight shades, but it also can be intensified with beauty mists, like M.A.C Fix Plus if you want an intense, almost metallic looking effect! They last beautifully for hours and I am always getting compliments whenever I wear these out!

      

M.A.C Mineralize Skinfinsh, “Soft & Gentle,” $32.

This was one of the first highlight’s I ever owned because I read so many blog posts that recommended it! I was so excited to get it and expected it to be a bright and sparkly highlight, but surprisingly it gave me a super natural, skin-like glow! This product does have shimmers in it, but after blended out, they don’t really show up on your skin. It is a gorgeous champagne color, which is universally brightening on many different skin tones! I enjoy wearing this product on a day-to-day basis because it has the power to compliment any kind of makeup look.

   

     

Beaming from the Heavens


BECCA Shimmering Skin Perfector Pressed, “Opal,” $38.
I love Becca highlights because they’re creamy, but also have extremely shimmery color payoff. Sometimes the more glitter that’s in a highlight, the more chalky and patchy they apply. With this product, you can guarantee that your highlight will look gorgeous on the skin. I love the shade Opal because it’s a warm, champagne, neutral color that goes great with any makeup look. I love this color as an eyeshadow as well since it’s such an effortless brightening shade for all over the eyelids and the inner corners of the eye! Another amazing aspect of the Becca highlights are their longevity! I can apply this product at 6am and still have it show up when I get home from work at 6pm! I will definitely continue to buy these highlights because I do think they’re the best on the market! 

       

BECCA Shimmering Skin Perfector Pressed, “Champagne Pop,” $38.

This is my all-time favorite highlight! If you have no idea where to begin with this glowing skin trend, look no further than Champagne Pop! It’s a beautiful peachy-gold shimmer, that brightens and compliments any skin tone! If you’re a fan of peachy or bronze blushes, you will absolutely love this shade to place on the tops of your cheeks! Of course it has the signature Becca creamy formula that is long-wearing and pigmented, so you really can’t go wrong in any aspect!

    

Laura Geller Baked Gelato Swirl Illuminator, “Gilded Honey,” $26.

This would definitely be ranked as my second favorite highlight! The best thing about this product is its brightening power! If you’re looking for a shade that will give lift to your face, than you’ll love the way this formula reflects on the high points you place it. It is also absolutely beautiful in the sunlight. Since it’s a true gold, it does compliment my olive-tan skin tone very well, but I also believe its universally flattering too! This is also one of the few powder highlights I own that layers evenly over cream products, which is an extra bonus! 

    

theBalm Highlight, “Mary-Lou Manizer,” $24. 

This was one of the first highlights I ever bought because of its popularity online! I heard so many YouTubers and read so many blog posts about this being the ultimate glowing skin product. It really is amazing! The bright, champagne radiance it brings my skin is so gorgeous and unique! This is a highlight I’ll always have in my collection because it matches any makeup look and is my go-to whenever I want to sparkle from space. This is also an extremely long wearing formula and will last you throughout long days and summer weather! 

         

ColourPop Highlight, “Wisp,” $8. ColourPop Highlight, “Avalon,” $8.

These ColourPop highlights are the best value on the market right now! They are extremely pigmented and have such great color payoff even once you blend them out on your cheeks. With some powder products, the shimmer will fall out once blended, but since these are a unique cream-to-powder consistency, they go own as dewy and evenly pigmented than they look in the pan. I love the shades Wisp and Avalon because they’re different from one another in shade, but both perform exceptionally well. The shade Wisp is a gorgeous golden-champagne color and Avalon is copper shade that acts beautiful as a blush/bronzer topper to give your entire face a shimmery glow! I’m also astounded that these inexpensive highlights last longer than anything else I own! You’ll love these if you’re just starting out and want to build your collection because they’re budget friendly and extremely high quality! 

    

Thank you so much for taking the time to check out my highlight powder collection! I am constantly rotating each of these products into my everyday makeup routine, so they are all being used and well-loved. Although I don’t think you absolutely need every single highlighter I mentioned, I do hope you found a new one to love or discovered some helpful info on the one you’ve been recently eyeing! Happy highlighting!

CoverGirl Katy Kat Matte Lipsticks!

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I wanted to review my new favorites from the drugstore, otherwise known as the Cover Girl Katy Kat Matte Lipsticks! After reading mixed reviews online, I wanted to try the formula out for myself and see if it could work for me and my preferences. I like the matte look, but struggle with lipsticks that dry out and give me a cracked appearance after an hour. The description of these matte’s claim they’re infused with shea-butter and feel creamy once applied to your lips, which enticed me to finally purchase! I have been testing these for about two weeks now and think they’re a great product that compare to a lot of my high-end lipsticks!     

   

CoverGirl Katy Kat Matte Lipstick, “Sphynx” $8.99.


I purchased two colors in the collection to test for variations in the formula based on shade. I was very happy to learn that both perform the exact same as far as longevity, creaminess and pigmentation. Sphynx is a true nude shade that has a rose undertone. I find this is a super wearable and natural shade for an everyday lipstick color, but I also think this would complement a dramatic, smokey eye beautifully! 
     

CoverGirl Katy Kat Matte Lipstick, “Pink Paws” $8.99.


The next shade I wanted to try out was Pink Paws. I would describe this as a peachy-pink color that can also be very wearable on a day-to-day basis. I love wearing shades like this in the Spring and Summer because they provide an extra pop of color to my standard bronze makeup look. I really enjoy the color combination that comes from mixing Sphynx and Pink Paws as well!     

   


The formula of these lipsticks swatch very creamy and feel buttery whenever you rub your lips together. With that said, they definitely do not dry down to a completely matte look. I would describe it as a “satin-matte” because it isn’t glossy, but it also isn’t completely flat. For me personally, I like the feel of this formula because it isn’t sticky or slippery like some satin formulas, but it also doesn’t make my lips feel like chalk like a lot of matte lipsticks tend to do! The color lasts on my lips for 3-4 hours before it starts fading and it does wear off whenever you eat. Both Sphynx and Pink Paws do leave behind a bit of a lip stain once they are off your lips, so that can be either a pro or con based on your pigmentation preferences! I personally like it because it gives me a hint of color if I am busy and can’t immediately reapply!

   

Another great aspect to these products are their pigmentation! I find that they are very opaque on the lips, which is nice when you want a full-coverage lip look. The creamy texture does not sink into your lip lines, so you are able to get away with wearing these without a lip liner or primer. The color payoff is really impressive for a drugstore lipstick that is at such a budget-friendly price range. I want to try some of the other darker colors in the line as well to test for further consistency in formulation. The two colors I bought are extremely wearable and I did appreciate the fact that this range is comprised of mostly everyday shades that will work for a variety of skin tones. I always appreciate new product releases that include colors that you can actually wear in public to school or work. With that said, there are also some unconventional colors, including a black, that are available in the Cover Girl Kitty Kat matte range.

   

I really hope this review helped you decide whether or not these lipsticks would be a good fit for your collection! I initially was drawn to these based on the cute display and adorable packaging, but was so happy to learn that these shades and formulas work wonderfully based on the personal preferences that I look for in a lipstick. Let me know if you have tried this product, or other drugstore lipsticks that you are currently loving! Thank you so much for reading!

How I Clean My Makeup Brushes!

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Let’s be real, nobody actually enjoys washing their makeup brushes. Shamefully, I admit I haven’t washed my brushes in about 4 months… There are so many benefits to using clean makeup brushes. There are the obvious hygienic reasons for keeping your brushes clean, like not having bacteria and facial oils cause breakouts on your skin. However, there are also makeup application reasons for keeping your brushes clean too! Once excess oils build up on your brushes, it can cause your powders to apply streaky and give your face a blotchy appearance. Brushes that are full of excess product, will begin to apply more sheer washes of color because they have an existing layer of product that isn’t allowing the hairs to pick up additional pigment. In the case of your eye brushes that are constantly picking up new colors, you want to make sure you clean them well. Your eyes can also easily pick up bacteria, so again, for hygienic reasons it is recommended you wash these every other week. I really want to try the “Color Switch” product by Sephora and Vera Mona, which described on Sephora.com as a, “dry, makeup-removing sponge that allows you to switch colors without having to switch brushes.” This seems too good to be true, so if you have this product and it truly takes away all of the pigment from your brushes, let me know! Anyways, this is my routine (that I need to start doing monthly) for deep cleaning my makeup brushes!     

2X Sigma Spa Brush Cleaning Glove $39 Dr. Bronner’s Pure Castile Liquid Soap Almond, $4.09


To begin, I gather my Doctor Bronner’s Soap (which I’ve mentioned in another post on cleaning my Beauty Blender) and my Sigma Spa Brush Cleaning Glove to wash my brushes. 


For $39, this glove did seem a bit gimmicky and overpriced, until I used it. Honestly, this product changed the way I washed my brushes and encourages me to wash them more often because it is so easy! I have spent a lot of money on Sigma brushes, so I wanted to also buy the product they sell that claims to cleanse them in the most gentle and effective way. The bumps and ridges on the glove really deep clean down to the brush head and make sure you’re getting all excess product out. In conjunction with the Doctor Bronner’s soap, your brushes will be stain-free and look brand new once dried! Every once in awhile, I’ll mix in some olive oil with the soap for a conditioning treatment to soften the brush hairs, but I definitely don’t do this step every time.

    


I wash each brush until the stains are no longer visible and only clear water (without soapy bubbles) comes through the bristles. Once I reach this point, I gently swirl my brush onto a soft towel to help the drying process, and lay them down flat. 


Many people suggest drying your brushes upside down and hanging them so the water does not leak into the brush handle, causing it to detach. Personally, I have never had any issues with laying my makeup brushes flat, but I do suggest flipping the brushes over about halfway through so they dry evenly.

   

I know this blog post wasn’t the most entertaining or innovative, however I do find that this routine is really helpful on remaining sanitary and extending the longevity of your makeup brushes. I think clean brushes apply makeup more beautifully and definitely help with blending your makeup more seamlessly. What products do you use to clean your makeup brushes? Let me know! Thanks for reading!

Formula X Delete All – 5 Finger Nail Polish Remover

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Formula X Delete All – 5 Finger Nail Polish Remover, $15


   

I just want to preface this review by saying, a $15 nail polish remover seems absolutely ridiculous and overpriced. Typically, I spend around 4-8 dollars on a bottle of nail polish remover, usually purchasing the “Pure Acetone” formulas. My hunt for the perfect remover came about after I noticed myself getting super lazy about taking off my nail polish because I truly dread the process of scrubbing my nails and having my cuticles burned. I wanted a gentle formula that worked quickly and could most importantly, remove all traces of glitter polish! Some of the different glitter’s I own will not fully detach from my nail, even with standard remover, so I wanted my next purchase to truly remove all traces of sparkle and color. I started browsing the top rated products in the nail category on Sephora.com one day and came across the “Formula X Delete All – 5 Finger Nail Polish Remover.”     

Before adding to my cart, I carefully read the description of the product and the many reviews that proceed it. Some of the most impressive claims that instantly sold me were, “Quick and convenient, this innovative five-finger soak removes all types of polishes—even the most stubborn glitters—without the mess. It features five-finger pockets that are perfectly cut into a soft, saturated sponge. Just dip, soak, and you’re done. Featuring the powerful formula of the original 5-Finger Nail Polish Remover, it now has a reinforced sponge with tightly interwoven, micro-mini pores for extra durability. Its one-step, spill-proof process makes removing your mani even easier.” I knew I had to buy to test this out for the blog because I really don’t think I am the only one who feels personally victimized by regular nail polish remover that burns and soaks polish off painfully slow. 

    


To start this review, I want to point out how awful my nails look. Let’s just address that this was going on two weeks and I nervously scrape my nail polish off when stressed. I did feel like this was a good example of how powerful (or not powerful) the formula would be! Now we shall proceed to the uplifting and renewing part of this process, the removal! I began by following the exact directions from Sephora.com and dipped my fingers in the sponge for 10-15 seconds. It was suggested to gently rub against the sponge wall during this time.


    

As soon as I lifted my fingers from the sponge, I was absolutely shocked to see that it literally took all of my polish off! The formula of the remover is obviously strong, but does not burn or dry out your fingertips like standard ones do. I really enjoyed how fast and easy this process was and can see myself more frequently changing the polish on my fingers because it is now convenient to remove! I am very excited to use this product with my stubborn glitter polishes too!

   

Overall, I think this product is worth the money and you should definitely purchase it if you do at-home manicures! It is such a time saver and makes the entire removal process pain-free if you have sensitive skin like me! I love when a product exceeds my expectations and this one definitely did. My only con (if this even counts) is that this can’t be used to take off polish from your toes. Unless you were to dip each toe into the sections (the thought of that makes me lol) I am not sure how else you could use this on that area since it’s specifically designed for the fingers! With that said, I hope you try this product out and find it as useful as I do! Please let me know if there any dupes or cheaper alternatives to a product like this, because I would love to try those as well! Thanks for reading!

Drugstore Makeup Starter Kit Under $170!

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Did you know that you can have a complete collection of makeup for only $170?! Well, you can! This blog was written to further prove this point! One of the most common beauty questions I am asked is, “What are the best makeup products from the drugstore?” I wanted to list out my top picks in each category that are tried and true! These are not only my personal favorites, but are also loved by friends and family that have tried too! I love finding products that perform like high-end makeup, but are budget friendly, so this post was a joy to create! To narrow down the list, I only included the products I feel are necessary for a day-to-day makeup look! You can interpret this post as a drugstore makeup starter kit, since I am only providing my reviews on the basic beauty necessities! I hope you enjoy reading and find your new favorite drugstore makeup products! 

Face

     

NYX Cosmetics Angel Veil Skin Perfecting Primer, $15.99
An amazing primer for all skin types. This product works best by gently patting into the areas where you have enlarged pores or tend to get oily. I have tried out very expensive, high-end primers and this one beats them out every time. This will fill in all of your trouble areas, including fine lines, while also extending the wear time of your face products. Another great aspect is that you only need to use a small, pea-sized amount for a flawless complexion! 

     

L’Oréal Infallible Pro-Matte 24HR Foundation, $12.99
I can’t get enough of this foundation! It gives you full-coverage and conceals any redness or skin troubles, while also allowing some of your natural moles and freckles to peak through! I love the demi-matte finish because it keeps your face looking fresh, while also controlling the production of excess oils. My favorite way to apply this foundation is with a damp Beauty Blender or sponge, but I have also found that this product goes on beautifully with a flat top blending brush. 

     

Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Eraser Dark Circle Treatment Concealer, Neutralizer, $8.99
Another long-time favorite of mine, I have found this concealer to always be a staple in my collection. The coverage on this product is amazing and will definitely conceal any dark circles or discoloration. I use the shade “Neutralizer” because it has a brightening, yellow undertone, which highlights my medium-to-tan skin tone perfectly! There are a few different shades in the collection so you can certainly find a perfect match for yourself too! The reason I continue to repurchase this product is for its combination of a full-coverage finish, brightening shade formulation and ability to wear throughout the day without fading or creasing!   

NYX Cosmetics HD Finishing Powder, Banana, $9.99
I feel like this is a hidden gem from the drugstore because it brightens your under-eye in the same way that most high-end “Banana” shade powders apply! I set all of my highlighted and concealed areas with this product to provide additional brightening effect, while also ensuring nothing creases throughout the day. If you have dry under eyes, you can just swipe your damp beauty blender that you applied your concealer with, into this pressed powder and apply directly to your skin to give an additional amount of moisture, while also setting your makeup! I have noticed that the formulation of this product gives an airbrushed finish to the under eyes because it buffs out any fine lines underneath the eyes and fills in the pores that can tend to appear in your t-zone. 

     

Rimmel London Stay Matte Pressed Powder, Transparent, $4.99
This is my favorite all-over face setting powder because it is so finely milled and gives your skin an airbrushed appearance without looking chalky, which some matte powders can tend to do. I purchase the shade “Transparent” because it sets my foundation, without altering the color. Whenever certain liquid products oxidize, they can change to a darker or more orange color, the same can happen when applying a face powder. Choosing the wrong shade can completely throw off the good color match you had for your foundation, which is annoying. I like this particular shade because it truly just sets your foundation, without changing the coverage or color of it.    

    

NYC Smooth Skin Bronzing Face Powder, Sunny, $4.99
Such a beautiful, natural looking bronzer that can suit so many skin tones. This is a really popular bronzer because it is matte, which can be tough to find at the drugstore. It also has a unique terracotta undertone that gives your skin the most beautiful warm glow. In my opinion, bronzers that have an almost red undertone can translate on the skin very naturally since your face gets a tint of that when you’re sitting outside, regardless of your pigmentation! Although this bronzer is extremely warm, I have seen it work on a variety of complexions because of its unique color. At a price point of 5 bucks, it’s definitely worth a try! 

        

Wet n Wild Color Icon Blush, Pearlescent Pink, $2.99
These blushes are my absolute favorite from all drugstore brands because of their extremely inexpensive price and incredible pigmentation. I have every color in the range, but especially love “Pearlescent Pink” because it’s an exact dupe to one of my favorite high-end blushes by NARS in the shade “Orgasm.”

     

Makeup Revolution Pro Illuminate, $7.00
This highlight can be found at Ulta because I truly could not find a product from the common drugstores (Walgreens, CVS, Rite-Aid, etc.) or Target/Walmart that was worth mentioning in this post. It’s really difficult to find non-glittery, sophisticated highlights at a low price point. I came across this product out of pure curiosity and ended up loving it! It is a very neutral, champagne highlight that can complement any makeup look. It has very fine gold shimmer, which I personally think looks more natural on the skin than silver or white. If you live near an Ulta and want to add a highlight to your kit, I would definitely recommend giving this product a go!

     

L’Oréal Infallible Makeup Extender Setting Spray, $16.99
This is hands down my favorite drugstore setting spray because it makes your makeup last forever! It gives your skin a slightly matte look, which is nice whenever you’re trying to keep a fresh face throughout the intense summer weather! I also love this formula because it doesn’t cause your mascara to transfer onto your eyes, as some setting mists do. I truly think I like this setting spray more than my Urban Decay because it works better at keeping my makeup on and looking freshly applied. My only complaint is that the nozzle on this product doesn’t dispense the mist as finely as the Urban Decay. Luckily, I can look past a packaging annoyance when I’m paying only half of what my high-end favorite costs!  
 

Eyes

   

Wet n Wild Photo Focus Eyeshadow Primer, $4.99
As someone who has oily eyelids and constantly fears eyeshadow creasing, I need to use a primer every day. The best one I have found at the drugstore is by Wet n Wild! Not only does this product prevent creasing, but it truly brings out the vibrancy of the eyeshadows you are using. I noticed that the pigmentation lasted longer when using this product than without. 

     

L’Oréal Infallible Eyeshadow, Iced Latte, $7.99
These are the best shimmery eyeshadows at the drugstore! They come in a ton of colors and I always get compliments whenever I wear them out! The shade “Iced Latte” is a perfect, taupe/champagne, every-day eyeshadow color to wear all over the lid, or just to brighten up the inner corners of your eye. I like to apply these eyeshadows using my finger because you will get the most color payoff by gently pressing the pigment onto your eyelid, rather than sweeping with a brush!

        

Milani Everyday Eyes Eyeshadow Collection, Earthy Elements, $8.52
This is my favorite drugstore eyeshadow palette because the formula is just as good as many high-end palettes than I own! I had previously never tried Milani eyeshadows and picked up one of these palettes on a whim. I could not be more pleasantly surprised with the buttery texture of the matte blending shades in the palette. I love the shade selection in the “Earthy Elements” Palette because I am obsessed with warm bronze and orange shades. These shadows last forever on the eyes too! Every palette in this range have beautiful shades that you could combine to make many different looks. If you like the shades in the Urban Decay Naked Palette, you should pick up “Bare Necessities” because it’s an exact dupe!  

    

L’Oréal Infallible The Super Slim Liquid Eyeliner, Black, $8.99
Finally, a good felt tip eyeliner at a drugstore price! I am obsessed with this eyeliner because it is completely matte black and does not budge once you apply it. I find that for me personally, using felt tip eyeliners work easiest when doing winged eyeliner, so that is why I am very happy to have found this one at the drugstore. 

         

Rimmel London Exaggerate Waterproof Eye Definer, Nude, $6.99
These Rimmel liners are excellent for the waterline because they stay in place, even if you have watery eyes like me! I love using a nude shade for every day because it widens the look of my eyes, while brightening my inner rim, which is a win-win on sleepy mornings at work! 

    

L’Oréal Telescopic Carbon Black Mascara, $9.99
This is just my personal favorite mascara of life. Regardless of how many high-end mascaras I buy, I always come back to this one from the drugstore because it gives me my idea of perfect eyelashes. I think this formula does an excellent job at both lengthening and adding volume. I also love the fact that it does not smudge and is able to last on my eyelashes all day long. 

     

NYX Cosmetics, Micro Brow Pencil, Ash Brown, $9.99
This eyebrow pencil is an exact dupe for my Anastasia pencil in the shade Ash Brown and costs half as much. It’s a no brainer to switch to these because they apply exactly the same, their shade selection is just as expansive, they give a natural looking texture to the brows, plus they last throughout the day! I continue to repurchase this eyebrow pencil and personally could never go back to paying twice as much for Anastasia pencils again. 

        

e.l.f. Studio Eyebrow Kit, Medium, $3
This is my favorite eyeshadow powder! I like to use powder on the front part of my brows so it doesn’t look as harsh as filling in completely with a pencil would. This powder has the perfect ashy undertone to compliment my eyebrows and keep them looking as natural as possible. 

      

L’Oréal Brow Stylist Plumper Brow Gel Mascara, Medium to Dark, $9.99
By far the best eyebrow gel at the drugstore! This product will hold your hairs in place and make sure they do not move throughout the day. Whenever I don’t set my eyebrows with a gel, I notice they tend to fall straight (which looks weird and terrible) so this product is perfect to prevent that from happening! The formula attaches to your existing hairs, so if you wanted to fill in your brows naturally with just one product, you could totally just run this through to get a subtly defined look. 
 

Lips

    

Jordana Easyliner for Lips Retractable Pencil, Tawny, $1.99
One of my favorite every day lip pencils! The shade “Tawny” matches my lips perfectly and allows my lipstick to stay in place and not settle into any lines. I love filling in my entire lips with this product and wearing as a lipstick as well because it’s so beautiful. I can’t get enough of these liners and own them in every color!

    

NYX Cosmetics Butter Lipstick, Root Beer Float (aka Pops), $5.99
This lipstick feels more like a chapstick, which I personally enjoy for every day wear! I think the color is a beautiful nude shade, but I am also impressed with their bold colors as well! The formula is very sheer and won’t be the longest lasting through eating and drinking, however if you are just looking for an easy, comfortable lipstick to wear to work and school, I think you will enjoy these!

    

NYX Cosmetics Butter Gloss, Crème Brulee, $4.99
You just can’t go wrong with NYX lip products! These lip glosses are so nice to wear because they have a buttery consistency that isn’t sticky at all! They are pigmented, so you could totally get away with just wearing one of these without a lipstick underneath! I own many shades and all are consistently incredible!
       


Thank you so much for taking the time to read this lengthy post! These products would cost a grand total of $168.34 without tax if you buy every item at full price. Most of the time, ULTA offers Buy One Get One Half Off on their drugstore lines, plus many drugstores also run sales and provide coupons on beauty offers so shop smart! I think that you will all love these products, but I also want to know which drugstore makeup products you love the most! For whatever reason, I get more excited about finding hidden gem products that are inexpensive, than high-end makeup releases, so I would really appreciate your suggestions! Thanks again! 🙂

   

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Laura Geller Baked Color & Contour Palette

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Laura Geller Baked Color & Contour Palette, $45.

    

I wanted to review the new Laura Geller Baked Color & Contour Palette because I think this is extremely appealing to those who enjoy having the convenience of three face products in one compact. If you love to travel, but hate separately packing a blush, bronzer and highlight, this product could be for you! This palette is also ideal for girls who want an easy way to grab one item and complete a majority of their face makeup without the worry of choosing blush/bronzer/highlight shades that all match. The overall size of the product is huge, which is nice because you can fit your normal sized brushes into each individual section, without mixing colors. Laura Geller’s baked products are known for their airbrushed appearance on the skin and their ability to last throughout the day! I will preface this review by saying unfortunately these shades are too light for my olive-tan skin tone. I am torn on whether I should return it or not, because I could potentially use it during the winter months when I am more of a medium skin tone! Regardless, after testing this formula for a week I can say those with fair to light-medium skin tones will absolutely love it!

   


The blush is in the shade Tropic Hues, which can be described as a glowing, peachy-pink. This was my first time wearing a Laura Geller baked blush and I really liked the way it looked! It is a very sheer formula, but can be layered for desired intensity, without looking cakey. It isn’t a shimmery blush, but it definitely has a glowing aspect to the formula that translates to a very youthful and fresh look on the cheeks. The Bronzer is the same as their Baked Body Frosting in Hawaiian Glow, which is a bestselling/top-rated product in the Laura Geller line at Ulta! I thought this bronzer was gorgeous and gave my skin a luminous glow, very similar to my Hourglass bronzer! I loved that this gave my skin a dewy-look, without getting oily throughout the day. I was so impressed that this bronzer blended seamlessly and looked natural, even in broad daylight! The French Vanilla Baked Highlight is also a cult-favorite product, which I’ve read other bloggers rave about in the past! I was happy to try it out and think it looks absolutely beautiful on the skin, however if you are tan or darker, it can look like a white stripe on your cheekbones (not flattering) so be warned! With all of that aside, it is a pretty shimmer highlight that does look shiny on the cheeks, without being glittery! It could be described as a creamy bright champagne highlight.

  

So although this product wasn’t a perfect match for my skin tone, I would still definitely recommend it to those who are more fair than me. I think the product performed great, it lasted on my face through long work days without a setting spray, which is very impressive! I was also extremely impressed with the bendability of these products. Once applied, they seemed to melt into my skin to the point where you couldn’t see where the lines began and ended. I loved the luminosity to these products and thought they brightened my face in a very unique and youthful way. Although this is a baked powder, they never look dry or cakey on the skin. I also enjoyed the simplicity and convenience of having all three shades in one compact. Laura Geller did a great job choosing shades that were all very complimentary to one another and didn’t require the use of other shades to make a complete and cohesive makeup look. I want to try out more products from this line, so if you have any favorites that would compliment olive-tan skin tones, than please let me know! I would love to do another review based upon your recommendations! Thank you for reading!

Festive Fourth of July Makeup!

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I wanted to do a quick little blog post on my festive Fourth of July makeup! For me personally, this was a fairly glamorous look since I included glitter and red lipstick, but I think it’s perfect for any daytime event. For me, I think this look is very balanced and subtle enough to not make a bold statement when wearing. I also think you could totally add false eyelashes, darken up the outer crease and use black eyeliner on your waterline to make it more dramatic! I thought this look was very easy to create and fit perfect for the theme of Fourth of July, but also would be great for any other special occasion this summer! 

Too Faced Peanut Butter & Jelly Eyeshadow Palette, $36. ColourPop Eyeshadow, $5. M.A.C Pro Longwear Paint Pot, $22. Benefit Roller Lash Mascara, $24. Stila Stay All Day Waterproof Eyeliner, $22. Urban Decay Heavy Metal Glitter Eyeliner, $20. Revlon ColorStay Lipliner, $8.99. Stila Stay All Day Vinyl Lip Gloss, $24.


I first primed my eyes using the M.A.C Pro Longwear Paint Pot in the shade “Ochre” because it neutralizes all veins on my eyelids and applies a yellow base to compliment the golden shadows that I’ll be placing on top! Next, I took the ColourPop eyeshadow in “KathleenLights” and patted that all over my eyelid. I wanted to choose a darker bronze/orange color for my eyelids since I knew the bright gold glitter that I would later place on top, would stand out more when contrasting from a darker base. To blend out this color, I used a mixture of “Peanut Butter” and “Spread the Love” from my Too Faced Peanut Butter & Jelly Palette! Although this product was limited edition, I still see them at Ulta and would highly recommend this palette to anyone who enjoys warm-toned eyeshadows! I then took the shade “Extra Creamy” underneath my brow bone for an extra highlight. On my inner corner, I used “Bananas” to add a bit of brightness, without being stark white. I then blended out my lower lash line with a mixture of “Peanut Butter” and “Nuts About U” to balance out the eye look. 

      

Next is the fun part; glitter! I love the Urban Decay glitter liners because they don’t sting your eye (as some glitters do) and it lasts for hours without retouching! For added simplicity, the brush tip applicator makes this product ideal for creating a precise glitter winged eyeliner or in my case, “painting” the glitter on top of my eyeshadow. I find this method works best if you apply, keep your eyes closed for 30 seconds to dry and then continue with the rest of your look. I also added some glitter on my lower lash line to compliment the eyelid! Based on personal preference, I did decide to add winged eyeliner because I love the way it compliments my round eye shape, but feel free to just add a standard line or none at all! You can truly make this look as natural as you want! I finished off with a couple coats of Benefit Roller Lash Mascara (which is probably my favorite high-end mascara) on my top and bottom lashes! Again, I think this makeup look would be stunning with wispy, false eyelashes as well! 

     

For the lips, I used my Revlon lip liner in “Nude” to define, while also ensuring that my red lipstick did not bleed or transfer. The red lipstick I chose is actually a lipgloss from Stila’s Stay All Day collection. These glosses are very opaque and thick in consistency. They stay shiny, but will not wear off like standard lip glosses because they are such a thick consistency. This shade is a true blue-based red, which is perfect for Fourth of July! Most of my red lipsticks are matte, but in the summer when my lips are more dry, I opt for satin or glossy formula to hydrate and plump! 

      

I really love how this look turned out because I thought it was fun and festive without being overboard! I think this look provides a great outline for Fourth of July makeup since it’s so simple, which allows you to easily change out certain aspects to fit what you’re most comfortable and confident in wearing! I would love to know how you spent your Fourth of July and what makeup look you decided to go for! Please let me know in the comments below, thank you so much for readying!